Separable Disposable Food Service Product

ABSTRACT

A separable disposable foodservice product includes a plurality of sections. Each section has an outer lip portion, a divider portion, and a floor portion. The divider portion is located between pairs of the plurality of sections. There is one or more separation lines formed along the divider portion between each of the pairs of sections so that the separable disposable foodservice product is separable into individual sections along each of the one or more separation lines.

FIELD

This invention relates to the field of eating utensils and more particularly to disposable foodservice products.

BACKGROUND

Disposable dinnerware has been available for many years, often known as paper plates, foam plates, plastic dinnerware, etc. The paper plate is believed to have been invented by a German bookbinder named Hermann Henschel in 1867. Many restaurants serve food on disposable foodservice products for sanitary reasons, perhaps because those restaurants lack proper cleaning and sanitizing systems that are required for non-disposable foodservice products. Many people use disposable dinnerware such as paper plates as a convenience, or when eating where it is difficult to clean non-disposable dinnerware such as when camping or picnicking.

Disposable foodservice products are typically made of materials such as aluminum, plastic, foam plastic, paper, paperboard, and certain recycled materials. Most of the materials used to make disposable foodservice products are readily recyclable and the energy and material cost for production of disposable plates is not significantly different than the energy and material costs (detergent, heat, water) used to clean and sanitize non-disposable foodservice products. In locations that experience extreme drought, disposable foodservice products offer an alternative to using water to wash non-disposable foodservice products.

Today, disposable foodservice products are provided in a variety of sizes and shapes, typically in the shapes that are similar to their non-disposable foodservice products counterparts such as ceramic plates and bowls. Some existing disposable foodservice products are round, some are rectangular or triangular. Some have dividers to contain liquids from food contained in one area from contaminating food contained in a different area. Although disposable foodservice products are available in a range of sizes, most US households typically have a supply of disposable plates of a single size, usually round with a diameter of around nine inches to eleven inches. In general, users of such disposable foodservice products use such sized plates for smaller items, even though a smaller sized disposable plate would suffice. The reason for such is typically a lack of availability of multiple sizes of disposable foodservice products in the typical home, perhaps due to storage space, convenience, maintaining stock of multiple sizes, etc. Additionally, there is not always a significant price difference between different size disposable plates, wherein 48 seven inch plates cost about the same as 48 nine inch plates and, therefore, since there may be items that are too big for a seven inch plate, the tendency is to buy the larger disposable plates when costs are similar.

When a larger sized disposable foodservice products is used for smaller items such as a scoop of potato salad or a sandwich, waste occurs, in that, the amount of material that must be produced by the manufacturer, transported to the retailer, transported to the landfill, etc., is greater than need be is a smaller disposable food service product was used.

What is needed is a disposable foodservice product that is easily resized to meet the required usage.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a separable disposable foodservice product is disclosed including a plurality of sections. Each section has an outer lip portion, a divider portion, and a floor portion. The divider portion is located between pairs of the plurality of sections. There is one or more separation lines formed along the divider portion between each of the pairs of sections so that the separable disposable foodservice product is separable into individual sections along each of the one or more separation lines.

In another embodiment, a method of using a separable disposable foodservice product is disclosed including (a) folding the separable disposable foodservice product along a separation line. The separation line is along a divider portion between a pair of sections of the separable disposable foodservice product and (b) repeating this until the separable disposable foodservice product separates at the separation line into two separate sections.

In another embodiment, a separable disposable foodservice product is disclosed including three sections connected to each other by divider portions. Each section has an outer lip portion and a floor portion. An outer circumference of the separable disposable foodservice product is in the shape of a circle in which a first section of the three sections is approximately one-half of the area of the circle and each of the remaining two sections of the three sections is approximately one-quarter of the area of the circle. There is a first separation line formed along a first divider portion between the first section and the remaining two sections and a second separation line along a second divider portion between each of the remaining two sections, where the divider lines are structurally weaker than the remainder of the separable disposable foodservice product, facilitating division of the separable disposable foodservice product into subsections ate each of the separation lines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a separable disposable foodservice product before separation.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the separable disposable foodservice product after separation.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a separable disposable foodservice product before separation.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a separable disposable foodservice product before separation.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a separable disposable foodservice product before separation.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a separable disposable foodservice product before separation.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the separable disposable foodservice product after separation.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the separable disposable foodservice product after separation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, perspective view of a separable disposable foodservice product 10 are shown before separation (FIG. 1) and after separation (FIG. 2).

As shown in FIG. 1, the separable and disposable foodservice product 10 functions as an existing foodservice product, for example, to hold foodstuff. In this example, the separable and disposable foodservice product 10 has an outer lip 14/20 around the periphery of the separable and disposable foodservice product 10 and a divider 16/22 that creates compartments 11/13, each compartment 11/13 having a floor 12/18. The divider 16/22 bifurcates the separable and disposable foodservice product 10 into two compartments 11/13 for holding two different foodstuffs, one in each compartment 11/13, reducing cross-contamination between foodstuffs held in each of the compartments 11/13.

A separation line 25 is made across the divider 16/22. The separation line 25 shown in FIG. 1 is a perforation, though there is no limitation of a specific type of separation line 25 in any embodiment of the separable and disposable foodservice product 10. A perforated separation line 25 is anticipated, for example, in paper plates or foam plates, while other types of separation lines are anticipated for plastic plates, etc.

The separation line 25 provides a weakened bond between each compartment 11/13 of the separable and disposable foodservice product 10 such that, each compartment 11/13 of the separable and disposable foodservice product 10 is easily separable into two separate disposable foodservice products as shown in FIG. 2. The separation line 25 provides for a clean, predictable separation. Without the separation line 25, one trying to conserve by tearing a typical disposable foodservice product of the prior art often destroys the foodservice product because it is difficult to cleanly separate each half without the use of a tool such as a scissor or knife. Depending upon the strength of the separation line 25, the separable and disposable foodservice product 10 is separated into two independent compartments 11/13 by tearing or folding/unfolding along the separation line 25 until the compartments 11/13 separate cleanly along the separation line 25.

Note that there is no limitation regarding the material used to fabricate the separable and disposable foodservice product 10 and any suitable material known or a future material is anticipated, having properties desired for foodservice products such as rigidity, moisture resistance, etc. Also, there is no limitation as to the quantity and/or location of the separation lines 25 (as will be shown) and there is no limitation that each compartment 11/13 is a half of the separable and disposable foodservice product 10, as in some embodiment, the separation line 25 is not central.

Referring to FIG. 3, a perspective view of a separable disposable foodservice product 10A is shown before separation. In this example, the separation line 35 along the divider 16/22 is a weakened line of material, formed or cut into the material along the divider 16/22. This separation line 35 has a thinner area where the separation will occur, typically after bending the separable and disposable foodservice product 10A is repeatedly bent back and forth along the separation line 35 (in parallel to the separation line 35) until the sections 11/13 separate. This type of separation line 35 provides a cleaner separation of the sections 11/13 and works well with all materials, especially hard plastic.

Referring to FIG. 4, a perspective view of a three-compartment separable disposable foodservice product 50 is shown before separation. In this example, the separable and disposable foodservice product 50 has an outer lip 54/62/72 around the periphery of the separable and disposable foodservice product 50 and dividers 56/64/66/74/76 that creates three compartments 51/53/55, each compartment 51/53/55 has a respective floor 52/60/70. The dividers 56/64/66/74/76 separate the separable and disposable foodservice product 50 into three compartments 51/53/55 for holding two different foodstuffs, one in each compartment 51/53/55, reducing cross-contamination between foodstuffs held in each of the compartments 51/53/55.

Separation lines 75/80 are made across the dividers 56/64/66/74/76. The separation lines 75/80 are shown as a perforation, though there is no limitation of a specific type of separation line 75/80 in any embodiment of the separable and disposable foodservice product 50.

Note that in non-symmetrical examples as in FIG. 4, it is anticipated that the separable and disposable foodservice product 50 is separated first along a major separation line 75 into two sections, then one or both sections be separated along a minor separation line 80 into two subsection, if needed, though there is no limitation on the order of separation. In some uses, separation is made by repeatedly folding along the separation lines 75/80 or by pulling/tearing at the separation lines 75/80.

Referring to FIG. 5, a perspective view of an exemplary four-compartment, round separable disposable foodservice product 100 is shown before separation. In this example, the separable and disposable foodservice product 100 has an outer lip 104/114/124/134 around the periphery of the separable and disposable foodservice product 100 and dividers 106/108/116/118/126/128/136/138 that creates four compartments 101/103/105/107, each compartment 101/103/105/107 having a corresponding floor 102/110/120/130. The dividers 106/108/116/118/126/128/136/138 separate the separable and disposable foodservice product 100 into four compartments 101/103/105/107 for holding different foodstuffs, one in each compartment 101/103/105/107, reducing cross-contamination between foodstuffs held in each of the compartments 101/103/105/107.

Separation lines 140/142 are made across the dividers 106/108/116/118/126/128/136/138. The separation lines 140/142 are shown as a perforation, though there is no limitation of a specific type of separation line 140/142 in any embodiment of the separable and disposable foodservice product 100.

It is anticipated that the separable and disposable foodservice product 100 be separated along a first separation line 140 forming two halves, then, if needed, one or both halves are separated along a second separation line 142. There is no limitation on the order or granularity of separation.

Referring to FIG. 6, a perspective view of an exemplary separable disposable foodservice product 200 is shown before separation. In this example, the separable and disposable foodservice product 200 has an outer lip 203/204/212/213/223/224/234/231 around the periphery of the separable and disposable foodservice product 200 and dividers 205/206211/214/221/224/232/233 that creates four compartments 201/203/205/207, each compartment 201/203/205/207 has a corresponding floor 202/210/220/230. The dividers 205/206211/214/221/224/232/233 separate the separable and disposable foodservice product 200 into four compartments 201/203/205/207 for holding multiple different foodstuffs, one in each compartment 201/203/205/207, reducing cross-contamination between foodstuffs held in each of the compartments 201/203/205/207.

Separation lines 240/242 are made across the dividers 205/206211/214/221/224/232/233. The separation lines 240/242 are shown as a perforation, though there is no limitation of a specific type of separation line 240/242 in any embodiment of the separable and disposable foodservice product 200.

It is anticipated that the separable and disposable foodservice product 200 be separated along a first separation line 240 forming two halves, then, if needed, one or both halves are separated along a second separation line 242. There is no limitation on the order or granularity of separation.

Referring to FIG. 7, a perspective view of the separable disposable foodservice product 100 of FIG. 5 is shown after separation. Although not required to separate into four sections 101/103/105/107, this example shows the separable disposable foodservice product 100 fully separated into four sections 101/103/105/107. It should be noted that it is possible to separate this exemplary separable disposable foodservice product 100 into two sections (101/103)(105/107) or three sections (101/103)(105)(107) or four sections (101)(103)(105)(107), a needed. Note how each section 101/103/105/107 maintains a portion of the dividers 106/108/116/118/126/128/136/138 and outer lips 104/114/124/134, thereby providing containment as well as improved structural support, especially after being used with a moist foodstuff.

Referring to FIG. 8, a perspective view of the separable disposable foodservice product 200 of FIG. 5 is shown after separation. Although not required to separate into four sections 201/203/205/207, this example shows the separable disposable foodservice product 200 fully separated into four sections 201/203/205/207. It should be noted that it is possible to separate this exemplary separable disposable foodservice product 200 into two sections (201/203)(205/207) or three sections (201/203)(205)(207) or four sections (201)(203)(205)(207), a needed. Note how each section 201/203/205/207 maintains a portion of the dividers 205/206211/214/221/224/232/233 and outer lips 203/204/212/213/223/224/234/231, thereby providing containment as well as improved structural support, especially after being used with a moist foodstuff.

As discussed previously, there is no limitation regarding the material used to fabricate the separable disposable foodservice product 10/10A/50/100/200 as any suitable material including, but not limited to, aluminum, paper, cardboard, plastic foam, plastic, etc., is anticipated. There is no limitation on the outer shape of the separable disposable foodservice product 10/10A/50/100/200. Rectangular and round separable disposable foodservice products 10/10A/50/100/200 have been shown, but other shapes are equally anticipated including, but not limited to, square, round, triangular, oval, pentagonal, hexagonal, irregular shapes, etc. There is no limitation on the quantity and/or the shape of the individual compartments.

Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result.

It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A separable disposable foodservice product comprising: a plurality of sections, each section having an outer lip portion, a divider portion, and a floor portion, whereas the divider portion is located between pairs of the plurality of sections; and one or more separation lines formed along the divider portion between each of the pairs of sections; wherein the separable disposable foodservice product is separable into individual sections along each of the one or more separation lines.
 2. The separable disposable foodservice product of claim 1, wherein the separation line is made of perforations.
 3. The separable disposable foodservice product of claim 1, wherein the separation line is of a thickness that is less than a thickness of the divider portion.
 4. The separable disposable foodservice product of claim 1, wherein the separable disposable foodservice product is made of a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, paper, cardboard, plastic, and plastic foam.
 5. The separable disposable foodservice product of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sections is two sections.
 6. The separable disposable foodservice product of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sections is three sections.
 7. The separable disposable foodservice product of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sections is four sections.
 8. The separable disposable foodservice product of claim 1, wherein an outer shape of the outer lips is a circle.
 9. The separable disposable foodservice product of claim 1, wherein an outer shape of the outer lips is a rectangle.
 10. A method of using a separable disposable foodservice product comprising: (a) folding the separable disposable foodservice product along a separation line, the separation line formed along a divider portion between a pair of sections of the separable disposable foodservice product; (b) repeating step (a) until the separable disposable foodservice product separates at the separation line into two separate sections.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the separation line is made of perforations.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the separation line is of a thickness that is less than a thickness of the divider portion.
 13. The method of claim 10, further comprising: (c) folding a first section of the two separate sections along a second separation line, the second separation line formed along a second divider portion between a first subsection of the first section and a second subsection of the first section; (d) repeating step (c) until the first subsection separates from the second subsection at the second separation line.
 14. A separable disposable foodservice product comprising: three sections connected to each other by divider portions, each section having an outer lip portion and a floor portion, an outer circumference of the separable disposable foodservice product in the shape of a circle and a first section of the three sections being approximately one-half of the area of the circle and each of the remaining two sections of the three sections being approximately one-quarter of the area of the circle; a first separation line formed along a first divider portion of the divider portions, between the first section and the remaining two sections; a second separation line formed along a second divider portion of the divider portions, between each of the remaining two sections; wherein the separable disposable foodservice product is separable into individual sections along each of the first and second separation lines.
 15. The separable disposable foodservice product of claim 14, wherein the first separation line is made of perforations.
 16. The separable disposable foodservice product of claim 14, wherein the second separation line is made of perforations.
 17. The separable disposable foodservice product of claim 14, wherein the first separation line is of a thickness that is less than a thickness of the divider portion.
 18. The separable disposable foodservice product of claim 14, wherein the second separation line is of a thickness that is less than a thickness of the divider portion.
 19. The separable disposable foodservice product of claim 14, wherein the separable disposable foodservice product is made of a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, paper, cardboard, plastic, and plastic foam. 